"Standing with North Carolina parents who are worried about the privacy and safety of their children will always be a top priority for the governor, no matter the spin by the media, pundits or politically correct crowd," the statement said.

It's the latest backlash over a new law that restricts cities, towns and counties from passing anti-discrimination rules above state guidelines.

Lawmakers passed the legislation, known as House Bill 2, in just one day of a special session of the general assembly, countering the move of Charlotte city leaders who approved a transgender bathroom ordinance.

"I think it's my job as governor to make sure that we protect that basic expectation of privacy in a most private moment in each individual's lives," McCrory said. "I can't believe we're even talking about this due to the city of Charlotte government and mayor's overreach, but we can't afford to have that type of government intrusion into our personal lives."

"This bill is simply about protecting the families and the children of across North Carolina and making sure that they are not put at risk when they go into a public funded or public access restroom," said Dallas Woodhouse of the NC GOP.

Economists say North Carolina has a $20 billion tourism and convention industry at stake.

"I think it's something we worry about when you get an organization like the NFL or the NBA or the NCAA behind it," said Mike Walden, an N.C. State economics professor. "It's much harder to coordinate individual businesses."

Thursday night, the NCAA said: "Our commitment to the fair treatment of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, has not changed and is at the core of our NCAA values."